"We should see this persecution as an attack on a member of our own family." -- Faith J.H. McDonnell, IRD Religious Liberty Director

Contact: Eric LeMasters, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, elemasters@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- An Afghani Christian under arrest for converting to Christianity is moving closer to execution according to reports from human rights advocates. Said Musa faces the death penalty charge of "apostasy" from Islam.

Arrested May 31, 2010 with other converts after footage of a baptismal service was viewed on national television; the 45-year-old Afghani has been beaten, tortured, and sexually abused on a daily basis according to Paul Marshall, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom.

Musa and two dozen other Christians were arrested in May after video of the indigenous Afghan Christian worship service was aired. He converted to Christianity eight years ago, is the father of six young children, and had a leg amputated after he stepped on a landmine while serving in the Afghan Army.

According to Marshall, no Afghan lawyer will defend Musa and authorities have denied him access to a foreign lawyer.

The Wall Street Journal reports that "Afghan officials have been unapologetic: 'The sentence for a convert is death and there is no exception,' said Jamal Khan, chief of staff at the Ministry of Justice. 'They must be sentenced to death to serve as a lesson for others.'"

IRD Religious Liberty Director Faith J.H. McDonnell commented:

"America has given billions of dollars, and, more importantly, given precious American lives, to bring freedom and democracy to the people of Afghanistan. But this must include freedom and democracy for our Christian brothers and sisters and other indigenous minorities, as well.

"In 2006, the international community was outraged when Afghan Christian convert Abdul Rahman faced the death penalty. His life was saved because of the outcry.

"We urge church groups to speak out. They who speak passionately about torture, health care, and global warming surely should see that the slaughter of innocent Christians in Afghanistan is an authentic 'justice issue.'

"We cannot just pay lip service to the idea that Christians facing persecution in Afghanistan are our brothers and sisters. We have to behave as if they are. We should see this persecution as an attack on a member of our own family."